Getting Started - Introduction to Democracy and Decision Making

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

the people in charge of a society

Question 2

Democracy

Answer 2

a system of government where the people have a say in how things are done

Question 3

Direct Democracy

Answer 3

democracy where citizens vote on every law and decision that is to be made

Question 4

Consensus

Answer 4

everyone comes to an agreement on decisions that need to be made

Question 5

majority rule

Answer 5

decisions are made by 51% or more of the votes

Question 6

Values

Answer 6

standards for what we consider important and how people should act

Question 7

diversity

Answer 7

respecting people from different cultures and backgrounds

Question 8

Rights

Answer 8

things people are entitled to say and do

Question 9

Responsibilities

Answer 9

Things people expect you to do or that you must accomplish.

Question 10

principle

Answer 10

a rule or law

Question 11

Representation

Answer 11

elected representatives act on behalf of citizens

Question 12

Equity

Answer 12

treating people fairly; everyone has the same opportunities

Question 13

freedom

Answer 13

the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants

Question 14

Justice

Answer 14

fair treatment of individuals and groups

Question 15

citizen

Answer 15

people who live in a country and have certain rights and freedoms

Question 16

advantages of consensus

Answer 16

• everyone is heard
• 100% - everyone is happy with the decision

Question 17

disadvantages of consensus

Answer 17

• can take a long time
• tends to work for very small groups

Question 18

advantages for representatives

Answer 18

• less time-consuming (efficient)
• Everyone has a say

Question 19

disadvantages for representatives

Answer 19

• not everyone will be happy
• representative does not do what their group wants

Question 20

advantages for individual voting by show of hands

Answer 20

• everyone has a say

Question 21

disadvantages for individual voting by show of hands

Answer 21

• can take a long time counting
• not everyone will be happy
• peer pressure

Question 22

Representative Democracy

Answer 22

Citizens elect others to represent them in government

Question 23

advantages of individual voting by secret ballot

Answer 23

• its private, so no pressure - you can choose who you really want
• everyone gets a say

Question 24

disadvantages of individual voting by secret ballot

Answer 24

• not everyone will be happy
• can take a long time counting ballots

Question 25

Difference between equity and equality

Answer 25

Equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful (everyone has the same opportunities).

Ex: For people with wheelchairs, the would be ramps installed just for them and stairs for people without.

Equality is treating everyone the same.

Ex: The amount of notebooks grade 6’s are supposed to get.

Question 26

Definition of Freedom

Answer 26

having the right to say, voice, and express opinions towards a situation.

Ex: You can fight for a speeding ticket/fine if you felt it was not reasonable

Question 27

Definition of Representation

Answer 27

a way to vote - pick/vote for a person to represent you in the government’s actions

Ex: On May, 2023 we picked Danielle Smith (a representative of the United Conservatives Party) as the premier for Alberta

Question 28

Definition of Equity

Answer 28

being fair and making people all have the same opportunities.

Ex: Some students may have more homework than others because they may need more/extra practice on different things than the others.

Question 29

Definition of Justice

Answer 29

everyone is treating fairly in the law. if someone breaks the law, there will be consequences (no matter if you’re rich or poor, race, etc.)

Ex: going to jail/prison because of an incident you were involved in that made someone pass away

Question 30

Federal Government

Answer 30

responsible for matters that concern the whole country. It is located in the capital of the country (in this case, Ottawa). The people have to vote in the capital.

Question 31

Provincial Government

Answer 31

deals with matters that affect the people in a province. It is located in the capital city of the province (Edmonton, for example). People have to vote in the capital of their province/territory.

Question 32

local government

Answer 32

these are elected in cities, towns, villages, reserves, settlements, and other local areas across Canada. People have to live in the local area to vote.

Question 33

Why do we have different levels of government?

Answer 33

We have 3 levels of government because this helps to balance the needs of people living in different parts of the country.